00:00 In the faraway, powerful and helpful livelihood of the Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea,
00:05 the BFAR, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, provided various resources for fishing.
00:11 This is Clayzel Fardilia for the report. Rise and shine, Clayzel.
00:14 In the midst of the tension in the West Philippine Sea,
00:20 where various fishing equipment is distributed,
00:23 the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,
00:26 under the program "West Philippine Sea" is receiving 150 fishermen
00:34 from Central Luzon and Ilocos Region who are fishing in the West Philippine Sea.
00:42 According to the BFAR, it aims to strengthen the ability and capacity of fishermen in the West Philippine Sea
00:50 to catch more fish and increase their income.
00:54 11% of the fish caught in our country came from the West Philippine Sea.
01:00 No matter how tense it is, our mandate will not change.
01:05 The BFAR mandate continues to provide support.
01:09 We can ensure that the fishermen have more capacity
01:13 to be able to earn and benefit from the livelihood of their fellow fishermen.
01:20 On this boat, MVDA BFAR, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
01:26 is distributing fishing equipment from Subig Zambales to the West Philippine Sea.
01:30 The agency wants to show how the BFAR's assistance to fishermen
01:38 and to show their presence to Filipinos who are fishing in the West Philippine Sea.
01:45 The Philippine Coast Guard was also with the BFAR.
01:51 Some officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command were also present at the send-off ceremony.
01:55 Senator Cynthia Villar agreed.
01:57 I just want to remind the military not to show up
02:02 because if it's too obvious that there are many military,
02:06 our small fisherfolks might get more angry.
02:11 Let's just ask for the BFAR's assistance.
02:15 When the Philippines was in charge of the BFAR,
02:19 we were giving them steam to watch over the fishermen.
02:25 We don't want the military to see them,
02:28 because they might bomb the fishermen.
02:32 If you can help, please stay away
02:36 because the fishermen will get more angry.
02:40 The former AFP chief and presidential assistant for maritime concern, Andres Centino, also agreed.
02:46 It cannot be done by one agency alone.
02:49 The membership of the council is very varied.
02:55 There are 12 cabinet-level officers that compose the council
03:02 from the Department of Agriculture,
03:06 the Department of the DNR, and the DND.
03:11 This is a multi-agency.
03:14 It's our exclusive economic zone.
03:16 We have all the right to avail and enjoy the resources in the West Philippine Sea.
03:23 The PCG believes that China should not be negligent in their presence in the West Philippine Sea
03:30 because of the ongoing patrolling and assistance to fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.
03:37 That's the feedback we heard from our fishermen.
03:42 When they see the BFAR and the Coast Guard,
03:46 they feel more confident and they are more willing to fish.
03:50 It is said that 50% of the fishermen are now fishing in the so-called sea.
03:56 In the past, the production of fish was 175,000 metric tons.
04:00 The last fish caught in the West Philippine Sea in 2023 was more than 200,000 metric tons.
04:07 From the West Philippine Sea,
04:09 Kalei Zalpordilla for Pambansang TV in the new Philippines.
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